However, perhaps more interesting than what the EU Parliament report says about energy security, to my knowledge it is the first formal document of the European Parliament about the concept of a European Energy Union. The reports dedicates a full paragraph to it:

‘Towards a European Energy Union

Welcomes the Commission communication entitled ‘European Energy Security
Strategy’, noting that it is based on a thorough analysis of the EU’s energy dependence,
highlighting the main areas and describes the essential work that must be undertaken in the short, medium and long term perspectives in order to overcome the challenges to energy security;

Notes that equal energy security, competitiveness and sustainability in a fully integrated energy market constitute the main pillars for the creation of an Energy Union, which can be achieved by pooling resources, connecting networks, ensuring unified energy market regulation and establishing unified negotiating positions vis-à-vis third countries;

Notes that the 2014 crisis in Ukraine and the results of the stress tests carried out by the Commission should lead to further acceleration of the completion of the internal market, including the integration of existing ‘energy islands’, and to the updating of risk assessments, preventive action plans and emergency situation plans;

Emphasises that, as the gas stress tests carried out by the Commission demonstrated,
particular attention needs to be paid to the most vulnerable Member States;

Stresses the importance for strengthening energy independence of short-term measures such as storage of gas, development of reverse gas flow infrastructure, preparation of regional security of supply plans, and more effective use of the opportunities to import liquefied natural gas in those Member States which are exclusively dependent on one single supplier of natural gas; points out that there is a vital need for cooperation between the Commission, Member States, neighbouring countries, regulatory bodies, ACER, transmission system operators and gas suppliers;

Emphasises that the Energy Union, in addition to ensuring security of supply, should
adopt a comprehensive approach focusing on key pillars such as achievement of a fully
integrated internal energy market, moderation of energy demand, decarbonisation of the energy mix, and research and innovation.’

The report says the main condition for the creation of an European Energy Union is the completion of an integrated EU internal energy market. The report urges the EU Commission ‘to support, as a matter of urgency, the completion of the European Energy Union in terms of both energy demand and energy supply‘.

With respect to reducing energy demand, the rapporteur recalls that ‘the moderation of energy demand through energy efficiency is triply crucial, impacting positively on the EU’s energy security, competitiveness and sustainability.’

I’m much looking forward to see EU Parliament’s call for reducing energy demand in the EU Commission communication on the European Energy Union. If the EU Commission truly means to create ‘A resilient European Energy Union with a forward-looking climate change policy’, reducing energy demand should be at least as important as attention to the energy supply side.